Tirupati Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is one of the important pilgrimage centers in South India. Located at Tirumala in Tirupati district, there are two footpaths to this temple namely Alipirimedu and Srivarimedu. In this, a six-year-old girl who was walking on the Alipiri footpath was caught by a tiger the other day. The tiger that killed the six-year-old girl was trapped. The tiger was trapped in a cage set up by the forest department near mile seven on the Alipiri Walkway where the child was attacked. Following this, restrictions were imposed on pilgrims. The spate of tiger attacks in Tirupati over the past few months has added to the fear among visitors.
∙ Do you want Pulipedi in Tirupati Yatra?
Reports about the tiger attack said that Lakshita, who was walking with her parents, was bitten by a tiger and ran into the forest. The companions made noise but the tiger did not leave the child. Later, the remains of the child were found during a detailed search conducted by the police.
There was a similar tiger attack in Tirupati last June. A three-year-old child was bitten by a tiger and went to the forest. The tiger abandoned the child about 120 meters away when the people who were with the child made noise and pelted stones. Miraculously, the three-year-old got his life back. Later cameras were installed in the forest and security was strengthened.
It is believed that there are between five and ten tigers in the Tirumala Tirupati forest. The number of tigers in the Seshachalam mountain ranges that comprise this forest area is more than a hundred. Trekking to Tirupati Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple is also a special feature of trekking through the jungle to spot wildlife. Devotees are generally not attacked by wild animals when they go in groups. Children who are often isolated from the herd are the victims of wildlife attacks. Hence there is less risk in Tirupati Yatras with necessary precautions.
There are mainly two footpaths leading to Tirupati Tirumala Temple. Divya Darshan facility is available to those who walk to Tirumala temple through footpaths. This way, these pilgrims can visit the temple without waiting for long. Biometric scanners have been installed at Alipiri Met Walkway and Srivari Met Walkway. This way it is confirmed that the pilgrims reached the Tirupati temple on foot. Aadhaar card or other photo identification is required to get Divya Darshan tickets. Divya Darshan tickets are not allowed on special days. Darshan tickets are not required for children below 12 years of age.
New regulations
∙ Pilgrims arriving with children below 15 years of age will be allowed through only from 5 am to 2 pm.
∙ Pilgrimage pilgrims to Tirupati will be sent back in groups of 100 people
∙ There will be a forest guard for every group of 100 people.
∙ No one is allowed to climb the mountain alone.
∙ Prohibition on two-wheelers from 6 pm to 6 am.
Image Credit : tirumala.org
Alipirimedu Path
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Photo: iStock/Lalam
It is nine kilometers to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple via the Alipiri Mett footpath. It takes an average of three to four hours to walk through this path with about 3,600 steps. Tirumala Tirupati Devastana has provided many facilities for the pilgrims visiting the temple in Tirupati.
From Tirupati railway station and bus stand you can take a free bus to the starting point of Alipiri Walkway. The Alipiri footpath starts at a distance of about four kilometers from the bus stand and the railway station. You can go through this route from 4 am to 6 pm.
Trekking starts from near the huge Garuda statue at the foothills of Seshachalam Hill. It is also known as Alipiri Starting Point and Alipiri Gateway. Pilgrims will get Divya Darshan Token from Bhudevi Complex. The token obtained from here is only a token for trekking through the Alipiri footpath. This token cannot be used for travel on Srivari Walkway.
Check in through the token biometric system at step 2,083 on the Alipiri Walkway. Those who reach Tirumala Venkateswara Temple on foot have many facilities including free accommodation and food. A valid token is required to receive it. After reaching the place known as Mokala mountain, the journey ahead is easy. After climbing another 300-400 steps, you will reach the Tirumala temple gate.
Srivarimedu Pavement
Srivarimedu Path is more ancient than Alipirimedu Path. This route is shorter than Alipiri. The Srivari walk consists of a total of 2,400 steps and a distance of 2.1 km. On an average, it takes an hour and a half to walk to the Tirumala temple.
From Tirupati railway station and bus stand you can take a free bus to Srivari Med. Srivari Met is approximately 17 km from the bus stand and railway station. On the way to Srivari, the entrance to the Alipiri footpath can also be seen.
You can walk to the Tirumala temple only from 6 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening via Srivarimedu footpath. Sri Krishna Devaraya Sadan is known as the starting point of the Srivari Walk. Srivari Mete means God’s feet. Pilgrims pray here with their own shoes on their heads. The first step of this path is hard. Most of this path is also roofed. The Token Center on the Srivarimedu Walkway is adjacent to Step 1,240.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has also introduced a system to bring pilgrims’ bags and other items from the bottom to the top of the Tirupati temple free of charge. Drinking water, lighting, toilets and medical facilities have been installed on both the footpaths leading to the temple. Pilgrims ammenities complex offers facilities including food and accommodation for those who have a valid token to reach the top of the Tirupati temple on foot.
Content Summary: Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, Famous and ancient temple of Swami Venkateshwara or Balaji on the mountain Tirumala
2023-08-14 08:00:10
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